British Council Film Collection

The Second Freedom

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About the film

'The Second Freedom' follows Jack Brown as he goes through life, and explores the various benefits he may receive as a result of National Insurance.

Details

Release year

1943

Director

Lister Laurance

Production company

Verity Films Ltd.

Screenplay

Cossar Turfery

Cinematographer

Raymond Elton

Composer

Hubert Clifford

Narration

Freddie Grisewood

Sound recording

Al Rhind

Musical director

Muir Mathieson

Running time (minutes)

16 mins 55 secs

Unit Manager

William MacQuitty

Music Played by

London Symphony Orchestra

Original Description

Social Assurance
'The biography of ‘Mrs. Brown’s Boy Jack’ shows how the British system of Social Assurance affects the lives of working people. His mother receives pre-natal and maternity benefits; the vast machinery of Social Assurance works for him from infancy to old age. He is entitled to numerous benefits, including unemployment insurance and workmen’s compensation'
(Films of Britain - British Council Film Department Catalogue - 1942-43)

Trivia

The title of this film changed often during production. Rejected titles included ‘Freedom from Want’, ‘Mrs Brown’s Boy Jack’, ‘Cradle the Future’, ‘Social Reassurance’, and ‘Fifty Million Parents’.

This film prompted rather vehement feedback from Cyprus. The British Council representative in the area reported that ‘“Films of this type do more harm than good - presenting England as a Utopia where... ideal conditions are within everyone’s reach... The audience, believing this film gives a true picture of conditions in England, is dissatisfied with the absence of similar amenities in Cyprus.” Conversely, however, the film was merely cited as “Well received,” in New Dehli.